Islander in the City

Snapshots of Seoul

My airplane mileage card shows that I’ve been to Korea more than 10 times.  But I don’t think I could already claim fully-knowing the country, as those were normally short visits – primarily spent on countless meetings with local bankers, embassy officers and Filipino communities.

But I did have a few chances to move around Seoul and capture whatever my camera fancies. A number of old Korean Palaces are located right within the city so these are the most accessible photo opportunities. My Korea photo folder is thus filled with shots of old Korea’s royal residences.

I guess I’ve told some friends before that I felt more at home in Seoul than in Tokyo.  It’s probably because it is not as huge a metropolis as Tokyo, but it is just as grand and modern. Being compact, it is easier to tour around and yes, taxi fare is way cheaper than in Tokyo.

One place I like most is downtown Seoul. It is a bigger and more organized version of Makati’s Business Center.  But while the area hosts expensive tastes and merchandize, one will be surprised to find out that just around the corner are humongous markets selling bargain items.

One last note, Korea, just like Tokyo, could surprise unassuming tourists with weird goings-on.  Here’s one I caught on-cam. This slimy grimy woman was walking in one of Seoul’s busy avenues, with two men carrying a sofa.  Once in a while they would stop and the woman will strike various poses. But her assistants didn’t have cameras. What that was for, I really did not get it.

* for more pics, please visit my photo album.

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